FIND ANYONE, ANYWHERE

Can Facebook Out-Awesome Google Plus?

Google has had a lot of Buzz since announcing their latest social networking concept, Google Plus. Of course no one expected Facebook to just ignore it.

Last week Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the world that he would make an announcement on Wednesday, July 6. He didn’t give many details, other than to say it was about the launch of “something awesome.”

Video Chat Wars?

By now most every blogger, journalist and social media expert has formed an opinion about the still-unreleased Google Plus. Many have said that its features are very similar to Facebook, with one notable exception. G+ will offer Hangouts, a service that enables up to ten friends to share a live video chat.

Not long after Google’s announcement, Zuckerberg made his “awesome” promise and sent invitations for an Event to key media figures. The invite gave the impression that it probably had something to do with video chat. No more clues were given. The world would just have to wait.

And The Awesome Is…

At 10a.m. PST, journalists eagerly awaited the press conference. They were let in to the Facebook facility and asked to hang out just a little bit longer. About 15 minutes later Zuckerberg entered the room, made a few jokes, talked about the history of Facebook and got down to business.

The awesome announcement was that Facebook is introducing video chat powered by Skype. Facebookers now have the option to chat with friends on the site. You can chat face to face, “call” friends online and even leave a video message if you don’t get an answer.

Two key features include a Friends You Message Most list and Group Chat. When you open video chat, you’ll see a list of the people you message the most. Then you can start an instant chat with anyone on that list. Want to have a group chat? You can also conference with several people at once by using the Add Friends to Chat button.

Who Wins This War?

Now that Google and Facebook have made their announcements, only time will tell who will emerge victorious. Both companies hope to be the number one social network. Currently Facebook reigns supreme. They seem to be working hard to keep it that way. Gut Google is hoping to usurp their throne.

What do you think? Will Google Plus surpass Facebook? Or will the new Skype-based video chat help them stay on top? Leave us a comment to share your opinion, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders people search blog.